Rio Celeste Waterfall Plus Sloths and wildlife Sanctuary

Recommended by 98% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

7 to 11 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

If you’re looking for adventure in the Costa Rican rainforest you’ll love this full-day adventure in the Tenorio National Park. Wear some comfy shoes as you’ll be hiking for around 2–3 hours to reach the Rio Celeste Waterfall. Look out for birds and animals along the way, and learn about Costa Rica’s biodiversity from your guide. End with a rejuvenating local lunch at a butterfly farm and sloth sanctuary visit.

Hike through the rainforest without the risk of getting lost
Receive personalized attention and go at your own pace on a private tour
Includes lunch, bottled water, and entry fees
Travel from your hotel to the rainforest in an air-conditioned private car

What's Included

Lunch

After the walk in the National Park, we headed to a place called "El Sabor De Doña Carmen". This place is the best restaurant in town not only for its crazy food but also for having a butterfly garden
Air-conditioned vehicle
Rio Celeste Waterfall entrance
Ranitas(Sloths spot) entrance
Bottled water

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

You are gonna know the name of the driver and the type of car for the pick up

Operating hours
.6:30 am

Itinerary

Rio Celeste

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Spring Paradise Bijagua Tours

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Bijagua de Upala

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Infant seats available
Not recommended for travelers with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9

based on 118 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

nice but many hours in a van, expensive

Tara_S, Mar 2026

We saw 2 sloths, one from the back high up in a tree, and one in a tree a little closer. We saw 2 frogs, 2 snakes and a few birds. I was expecting a lot more wildlife and a longer experience in the jungle! The guide was helpful but our van driver actually knew more than the guide about the wildlife. The hike was nice, but it was a very gentle walk in the woods and we could only see the waterfalls from a distance. The van was clean and comfortable but it took over 2 hours each direction. It was a very expensive day.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

We can’t have animals tied to a tree, it’s actually illegal to manipulate wildlife so no there isn’t much we could do about it. We specified that it would be 2 and a half hours of driving; I don’t know why they’re complaining now. That’s why it’s better to get informed before booking.

Excellent! 10/10

Troy_S, Jun 2025

Allan was amazing! He was so knowledgeable, friendly and one of the best guides I have ever had on any tour. I cannot recommend Allan and this tour enough. I will absolutely do it again when I return to Costa Rica.

Unforgettable Experience

Caroline_K, May 2025

From the get-go, Verny welcomed us with open arms and made us feel immediately at home in his beautiful country. His genuine passion for wildlife was contagious, and we came across a baby sloth (highlight of the trip), many species of frogs, snakes, and insects. Not to mention, the rainforest and waterfall was beyond breathtaking. The trip consisted of only me and my boyfriend, so we got a private tour and Verny accommodated us every step of the way to match our pace and interests. He also took us to an amazing restaurant (Doña Carmen) and shared a beautiful insight into Costa Rican cuisine. Everyone we came across was so hospitable and respectful of nature, and I hope many travelers bring that perspective back home. What a beautiful way to celebrate my partner and my anniversary together.

Great day!

Laura_T, May 2025

Don’t hesitate to book this tour! It’s a long day but worth it. Verny was great - very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. He took hundreds of pictures of wildlife and family shots for us. Thought of every detail. And lunch was delicious!

A great tour with an outstanding guide.

Thomas_C, Mar 2025

This ended up being a private tour and Verny, our tour guide and driver, was very accommodating and catered to what we wanted to see and do. He went above and beyond our expectations. His local touring company, on the road costa rica touring company, has a great tour guide. Verny was very knowledgeable of everything Costa Rica and was prepared for any situation, small or large. I highly recommend this tour, especially if Verny is the tour guide.

All your sloth/frog dreams come true

Madeline_G, Feb 2025

We had such a great time!!! The ride was long but worth it! The rainforest was great it was raining but so cool to see! Seeing a baby sloth and frogs we re the highlight! Our guides were amazing and so nice thanks hermon and Juan for a great experience!

Great day in Costa Rica!

Leslie_H, Feb 2025

Our guide Hernan S and driver Alan were OUTSTANDING. Our guide Hania at the wildlife preserve was amazing as well. Hernan was very knowledgeable about the history, environment and flora/fauna of the region. Moderate hike. Beautiful waterfall. Wildlife abundant and pictures of a lifetime. Lunch was delicious and the butterfly garden was a lovely surprise and really well done. They will pick you up at your location, which was very helpful. Great day. Highly recommend.

Worth the drive

Fred_R, Apr 2024

The nature walk and stairs to the waterfall was very good. The sloth farm was very interesting, some sloths were quite high but we were fortunate enough to havew a young very low to the ground and were able to get great pictures. As well the monkies were very fun to watch and they did get close enough for great pictures too,

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the nature walk to the waterfall and found the sloth farm very interesting. It's great to hear that you were able to get close to the sloths and monkeys for some fantastic pictures. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more memorable adventures!

Great Time and lots to see.

Paolo_H, Mar 2024

We had a great time in this tour. Eric I believe was his name was a gracious host. The falls were beautiful, lunch was great and best of all we saw a sloth within a few feet from us. You should take advantage of the sights of Costa Rica

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Thank you for your feedback! We're delighted to hear that you had a great time on our tour. Eric, our gracious host, is thrilled to have made your experience enjoyable. It's wonderful that you got to see the beautiful falls, enjoyed a great lunch, and had the exciting opportunity to see a sloth up close. We agree that Costa Rica's sights are not to be missed! We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures.

Good times!

Jenny_B, Aug 2023

Hernan was amazing. The tour was great! We got to see a baby sloth up close, which was worth the price of admission by itself!

Memories for a lifetime

roger_h, May 2023

This trip was one of the highlights of our honeymoon. Hernan was our tour guide and was awesome. He was very knowledgeable and kind! One reason I booked this tour is because I read reviews about other group trips that feel “rushed”. The pace of the private tour was great and having Hernan tailor the hike specifically to us made for an even more memorable experience! The lunch was delicious too, you work up an appetite after swimming and hiking.